Doctor's Crossing Podcast Sparknotes: Expert Witness, IMEs, and Life Care Plans

Job: Does all 3 in expert witness, IME, and life care plans

Person on Podcast: Dr. David Oliveri

Job She Was in Prior to Career Switch: Board certified PM&R

What Do You Do?:

• Workers Comp IME: does person need more treatment?
• State farm insurance: Case review and opinions
• Contact with Plaintiff attorneys, lawyers, claims adjusters
• Others looking to you for guidance, though they are looking over your shoulders
• What is IME?: Some third party asking you to review a case for an individual. Initially they will outline what they need from you, can go from just asking if they need surgery to extensive evaluation and reviewing of bills etc.
• Expert Witness: Designated to particular side of court defense or offense. Produce a report for your opinions. Required for deposition. On occasion may testify.
• Life Care Plan: Written document that describes the medical care needed for an injured plaintiff that is ongoing. Can be simple if non-catastrophic injury to extensive document if catastrophic injury. Those components may include home care, multiple doctor visits, durable medical equipments, etc.

How to Prepare to be a Great Candidate:

• Most of cases have physical injury. Specialties most fit orthopedics, PM&R, Neurosurgery, pain management, neurology, Neuro-Radiology. Psychiatry utilized for mild traumatic brain injury.
• Workers Compensation is a great way to dip your foot in

**Do not do if you are type of person who doesn't like conflict, avoids at all cost, doesn't like people questioning your judgement. This type of work may be difficult.